Taking up the Challenge

Posted on June 17, 2016

It occurs to us that as adults we are not that different to children, just a little bigger! As adults we can feel a little anxious if we are going somewhere new, if we are put on the spot or asked to do something we have never done before. The moment our anxiety levels rise our ability to learn falls. It is important that we find ways to keep children happy & relaxed, and our outdoor spaces are a really good place to start.

Yesterday I set our Room Leaders a challenge as part of Empty Classroom Day. While everyone at Incy Wincy's spends time outside each day I asked the staff teams to take this one step further providing activities that would help parents understand the potential for learning outdoors and the positive effects on children (and adults) well being. The British Heart Foundation recommends that children under five should be physically active for a minimum of 3 hours each day, today we aim to demonstrate how we do this, learning and having heaps of fun along the way.

As I type this I can hear Leanne's group of bread makers finishing the dough which they are taking to Little Foresters to bake over the fire and a group of children singing (very enthusiastically) with Hannah - I am sure it will bring a smile to the faces of any passers by. I see our younger Bumble Bee children wriggling into their waterproof suits, almost ready to investigate the giant cardboard boxes outside. While the Ladybird children are heading for an adventure in the Park. The staff have certainly taken up the challenge, they will be sharing all the excitement with you at the end of the day.

Sarah MG